It’s been a little over 2 months since my jaw surgery. I was wired shut for about 2 weeks and then had arch bars on for a total of 6 weeks. About a week or so after I had the wires taken off, I started oil pulling. Mostly, I was just curious.
Are you wondering what oil pulling is?
Basically, you put oil in your mouth and swish for 20 minutes. That pretty much sums it up.
The claim is that oil pulling will draw toxins out of your body and improve your dental health. Some people say it helps with headaches, migraines, asthma, and more. Now, I don’t know about all that. There really is no way of measuring whether I’m pulling toxins out of my body or not by swishing with coconut oil.
I was curious, however, whether after not being able to brush my teeth properly for almost 2 months, I would have a build-up of tartar.
Now, I’ve always had pretty good teeth. I had my first cavity when I was 21, and only one more after that (which I still think was made up by my old dentist). I don’t get a lot of tartar and I brush my teeth at least twice a day, sometimes three. However, every time I go to the dentist, I have tartar behind my bottom front teeth. No matter how hard I try, I still get build-up there. It’s genetic, my dentist says.
I ended up oil pulling about 3-4 times a week for about 6 weeks. When I first started, I pretty much gagged my way through it. I put a large TBSP of hard coconut oil in my mouth, and let it slowly melt. Once I got past that part of it, it wasn’t bad though. By the 3rd or 4th time, it didn’t even bother me at all. I swished for 20 minutes, spit it out, and then brushed my teeth. I *love* the way my teeth feel afterwards. Smooth and extra, extra clean. More so than when I just use toothpaste.
Today was D-Day. That would be Dentist-Day. I didn’t tell my dental hygienist that I had been oil pulling, I just wanted to see if she noticed a difference. Those who want to improve the appearance of their smile may visit a cosmetic dentist. Dental treatments and services like dental implants and dental crowns may help you achieve a brighter and healthier smile.
She started cleaning my teeth, and she couldn’t believe I had my jaw wired shut for 2 weeks, and arch bars on for 6 weeks. I had minimal tartar and overall, my mouth looked great! I was in and out lickety-split. No cavities, no bloody gums.
So, was it successful? Again, I have no idea whether oil pulling actually helps pull toxins out of my body. But it seems to have helped with my oral hygiene. I think without the oil pulling, I would have been in way worse shape after jaw surgery. At least had more tartar build-up and sensitive gums from the lack of good brushing.
What about you? Have you tried oil pulling? Have you noticed any differences?
Jenetta Penner says
I did not do oil pulling but I make my own toothpaste with coconut oil and clay (and few other things). I used to get a gritty film on the back of my teeth, drove me nuts! It was always just there. I even asked the dentist about it and he had no real recommendations.
Almost immediately after switching to the homemade toothpaste that grit is all but gone. I will never go back.
Kathleen says
Jenetta what other kind of ingredients do you use to make your own toothpaste? What’s with the clay? Do you make the clay out of something? Please let me know thanks..
Melissa says
Did you notice that your teeth were whiter? That is another claim. I don’t know if I could do it or not, just thinking about it makes me want to gag.
Life Made Full says
My teeth were already pretty white beforehand, so I don’t think I could make a call on that. Good question, though!
Tina Powell says
I did oil pulling for three weeks. I noticed within a couple of days that my teeth were whiter and I felt I had less tartar. The biggest thing I noticed….a decrease in my arthritis pain. Typically I can control the pain only through diet which is typically avoiding dairy and most grains. I was not watching my diet during this time at all and was able to keep the pain at bay until I got back eating right. Usually once something starts to flare up, there is no stopping it but when I was oil pulling, my pain was minimal and never got to the point I could not function. Two days after I stopped oil pulling….I was in significant pain. Maybe it’s all a coincidence maybe not…but during that three weeks the only change I had made was doing the oil pulling.
Lisa Doane says
I tried oil pulling, 20 minutes a day for a month. It took a few times to get used to. The only major thing I noticed was that it seemed to relieve some sinus pressure (I’ve had allergies and nose problems for years), and my teeth felt so clean and slick, and even a little whiter. I haven’t pulled in months, but occasionally I will brush my teeth with coconut oil and a dab of baking soda, it makes my mouth and teeth feel really clean and fresh.
I was wondering though…what’d you have jaw surgery for? By chance, was it for TMJ? I have TMJ and it has bothered me for over a decade.
Thanks,
Lisa
Life Made Full says
Hi, Lisa! Yes, TMJ–I have a degenerative disc in my right side, and it was bulging. The surgery was to make more space for the disc so I wasn’t bone-on-bone.
Angie says
Do you do it every day?
Life Made Full says
Hi, Angie! I did it about 3-4 times a week.
Jennifer Sw says
I tried oil pulling for a couple weeks, but my teeth were so sensitive to cold and hot. I’ve since stopped and the sensitivity has decreased tremendously. I used coconut oil, should I use a different type of oil to reduce sensitivity?
Life Made Full says
Huh, interesting. I will be curious to see if that happens with me. I’ve heard sesame oil works well, too, but don’t know about the sensitivity thing?
Nicole says
Hi! I found this post as I was searching for jaw surgery forums. I am scheduled to have the same surgery you have had, if it was a condylotomy. It at least sounds like it. I am so glad I found this because I was worried about what my teeth would be like after being shut that long. Is there any more advice you could give me? Please feel free to email me if you want! I am so nervous about it and don’t have a lot of information about the aftermath of the surgery. And if you know of any more forums please share. Thanks for this!
Life Made Full says
Hi, Nicole! Yes, I had a condylotomy. I’ve made some videos on youtube–have you seen them? Here’s the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx8TKFhamWq0wQbcONNYRBw
Hopefully that will help you a bit!
Nicole says
I just watched them all! Haha. I finally went back enough on your posts to read about your surgery experience. My disc is out of place on one side so I can only open fully if I adjust a lot. The surgeon says when the bone is cut and further down it will let the disc have more room. I think the surgery will be worth it but never having surgery before other than wisdom teeth is a little scary. Has your surgery shown successful so far? That’s my last question I promise!
Life Made Full says
Oh my goodness! You have the same exact story as me! (bulging disc). I would say my surgery was very successful. I feel WAY better than before the surgery. I would still like to improve more, but am content if this is where I am at for now. I still have numbness all along the inside of my cheek and gums on the side where the surgery was done, and the tip of my tongue couldn’t taste up until just recently. Now I’m extra sensitive to sour things?? Funny. I am happy to answer any questions you have! I know I was constantly looking for other peoples’ stories, hoping I was making the right decision! When is your surgery?
Nicole says
I’m really so thankful for finding your blog because I have prayed and prayed for someone to actually have the same issue I have. That’s so crazy about the numbness and taste but I suppose it is to be expected since the nerves are cut as well, I didn’t think about that. Will it ever go away?
My dr recommended I take 2 weeks off work so I will have to wait until the end of July to accrue that much vacation time at work. It gives me a little time to prepare. I’m really glad to hear you are in better shape. I can’t imagine what it will be like to open my mouth normally again! It’s been almost 3 years. I’m not as worried about it now as I was. I’m more concerned about any preparations and after the surgery. Eating will obviously be terrible. Were you told to sleep sitting up or is that just what caused u less pain?
Life Made Full says
Do you have someone to help take care of you? My husband was a LIFESAVER because that first night I was up almost every hour. He made a whole chart of all the meds I needed to be taking, and had them all timed out right. I don’t know how I would have done it without him! I slept sitting up for about 5 days on the couch (my hubby did, too), and then propped up in bed for almost a week after that I think. Then I was just sleeping straight on my back for awhile until I could deal with the pressure on my jaw. Are you just doing one side or both?
Nicole says
Yeah I’m 22 so I’m still living with my parents while I finish college so my mom said she would be home with me. I’m just getting the left side done. The reason I’ve decided to just go through with the surgery is because I have to modify so much for that side, my right side is starting to do weird things that my left did when this mess started. So I guess adjusting all the time is taking its toll on the good side. I figure the sooner the better because this issue isn’t going to to away on its own unfortunately. I just get excited at the thought of being able to just open my mouth normally! Right now I have to push the bottom forward and then down so that the disc slides back in between the bones to open fully. If I just open I can only fit one finger in. The way the surgeon talked, I will go into a lot of bands after the surgery. I was told that I would be able to take them off if I was to get sick or something but come back in immediately to get them back on of course. Are you having any trouble at all opening or with pain still? Can you fit many fingers now? I saw your video right after you got the wires out and you could fit one. I would like to request a new video posted of your journey since then sometime before July, just whenever you have time if you don’t mind. All of them really eased my mind about it all. They were very helpful.
Life Made Full says
I can fit 3 fingers now! I could do one and *almost* 2 before the surgery, but that was with constant pain. I totally understand where you’re coming from! I will make a follow-up video just for you! I’ll try to get to it in the next few weeks. Do you subscribe to my channel so you can see when I post it?
Nicole says
Wow that’s great!! I have subscribed and will be looking for it. Thank you so much for your help! You’ve made me feel much better about the surgery and more hopeful it will help me out.
Kathryn says
I just had to comment on the TMJ surgery. I don’t know if any of you who have or have had TMJ problems ever went to the chiropractor, but mine has been able fix my TMJ when it goes out which sometimes is frequent as my babies will bump my jaw. I am so thankful I found out my chiro could adjust for these things as it’s saved me many trips to the dr and unnecessary medicine.
Sara says
Hi Shanti,
I have just read more of your posts about your surgery in search of what you ate. I had a mandibular extension done because my bottom jaw never finished growing so the bone was deteriorating
because all the pressure was in the back instead of spread out. Anyway, I am banded shut for a couple more months so drinkable pureed foods only (ie soups!!) and am SOOOOOOOOOO sad about food today. I eat paleo as well because I have arthritis and it is controlled with a paleo diet. Unfortunately I also got thrush from the antibiotic they put me on and so am trying hard not to eat too many fruits either! SO HARD! Trying to keep focused on the positives and all God is doing, but today is a rough day.
If you get this and have time, I would love to hear what your favorite finds to eat were or if you have any new ideas. Thanks for sharing your journey!!
Shanti Landon says
Hi, Sara! So sorry to hear about your surgery! I have THIS post on Paleo recipes for a soft foods diet…and THIS post with smoothie recipes (although with the thrush maybe not the best right now!) Good luck with your healing, take it easy, and let me know if I can help in any way!